George McGovern Criticizes Richard Nixon on the War in Vietnam Ca. 1972

In 1972 as the war in Vietnam wore on, treaty talks in Paris were stalled and the North Vietnamese continued to launch offensives. President Nixon responded to these offensives with U.S. air strikes and the mining of Haiphong harbor. Senator George McGovern, a candidate for president and a critic of the war, denounced Nixon's action. The following year Congress passed the War Powers Act, which greatly curbs the powers of the Executive to wage war. The War Powers Act has not been recognized by any president.